Driving to Takayama end of March inquiry

Hi,
I am planning a driving trip from Tokyo to Takayama - Kyoto by car.
The trip is end of march and beginning of April.

If anyone could give some comments with the followings, it would be really appreciated.

Snow tired is required to drive in Takayama at end of march?
Takayama and the surroundings, 1 night 2 days would be enough?
Any onsen/places/museums that we cannot afford to miss?

Thank you very much

Snow tired is required to drive in Takayama at end of march?

It is rare to still encounter winter driving conditions in central Takayama in late March, but not impossible.

However, in some of the surrounding areas at a higher elevation, such as Okuhida, it is more likely that you still encounter some snow on the streets.

Takayama and the surroundings, 1 night 2 days would be enough?

It depends what you mean with "surroundings". I think it is enough to combine Takayama and Shirakawago, for example, but there are many other sights in the surroundings, such as Okuhida and Gero, which would be too much if all included into just two days.

Any onsen/places/museums that we cannot afford to miss?

My top recommendations are:
- the old town of Takayama
- the Hida no Sato open air museum or Shirakawago
- the outdoor onsen baths of Okuhida

Hi Uji,
Thanks for quick reply.

By surroundings, I meant Takayama + Shirakawago only. But thanks for Okuhida suggestion.

I only plan 1.5 in Takayama.
So 0.5 for Shirakawago, 0.5 for Okuhida, 0.5 for Takayama, should be fine?
Or you would recommend more time for Takayama?

Thanks very much.

I love Takayama and could easily spend a week there, so I would say two days.

These museums were wonderful:

http://boingboing.net/2010/08/18/my-favorite-museum-i.html

The Kusakabe and Yoshijima Heritage houses are both stunning (and next door to each other if memory serves)

If you want to see just Shirakawago and Takayama, two days are enough, but if you also like to visit Okuhida, two days are a little short unless you like to travel at a very fast pace in which case two days may be enough.

I would travel as follows:

day 1: drive from Kyoto via Kanazawa to Shirakawago and overnight at a farmhouse

day 2: in the late morning continue to Takayama, see Takayama, overnight

day 3: see some more of Takayama, drive to Okuhida ane enjoy the onsen. Overnight at an onsen ryokan

day 4: drive from Okuhida via Matsumoto to Tokyo

thanks Uji,
i was thinking of going from Tokyo to Takayama first, then Kyoto. As I thought Tokyo-Kyoto is golden route and try to avoid it.

but you would rather go to Kyoto first? what would be your reasonings?

about takayam, i will see allocating time will affect other destinations.

thanks very much again.

I made a mistake. I thought you travel the other direction. Either direction would be fine. Tokyo - Matsumoto - Okuhida - Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa - Kyoto.

I would allocate at least four full days for the entire trip.

Thanks Uji-san,
In fact, I planned full 6 days for this trip. So I guess it should be fine then.

My plan is 2 nights in Takayama, 3 nights in Kyoto-Nara.
If it was you, 2 full days in Kyoto (not including Nara) would be enough?
Or would you allocate more time for Takayama surroundings?

For Nara, I put it 1 full day.

Sorry for many small questions.
But your comments have been really helpful.